Overall

Overall
Are you an enterprise user who's wedded to their BlackBerry?
Do you cringe whenever someone utters the words "virtual keyboard"? Then the
Torch 9800 has a lot to offer you in the smartphone department-everything
you're familiar with, plus some new features which bring the BlackBerry
franchise more in line with rival offerings.

If you're a typical consumer, however, the choice is more
problematic. Those who primarily use their smartphones as communication
devices-whether that involves texting, email, or voice calls-will also find
many things to like here. But those wanting a smartphone with robust gaming and
multimedia capabilities may find themselves drawn to competitors with a better
screen and a broader app library.

I can only assume that the minor issues with the Torch's
user interface will be corrected in subsequent updates. In the meantime, RIM
seems to have developed a solid-although not exactly groundbreaking-platform
for holding its own in the smartphone wars.
The BlackBerry Torch is available Aug. 12, for $199 with a
two-year contract through AT&T.

Nicholas Kolakowski is a staff editor at eWEEK, covering Microsoft and other companies in the enterprise space, as well as evolving technology such as tablet PCs. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, Playboy, WebMD, AARP the Magazine, AutoWeek, Washington City Paper, Trader Monthly, and Private Air. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.